Radio

Digital

Ceremony honours Irish who died in past wars

National Day of Commemoration - Ceremony took place at the Royal Hospital KilmainhamPresident Mary McAleese - Lay wreath on behalf of the people of Ireland

A ceremony honouring all Irish people who have died in past wars or on service with the United Nations took place this morning.

The National Day of Commemoration was held in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin and was attended by President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

Representatives of the Council of State, Diplomatic Corps, Defence Forces, Dáil and Seanad Judiciary, relatives of the 1916 leaders and Northern Ireland representatives were also present.

The next-of-kin of those who died on UN service and a wide cross-section of the community including members of ex-servicemen's organisations were also in attendance.

The ceremony began with a multi-faith service of prayer, after which the President laid a wreath on behalf of the people of Ireland.

Representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches, the Jewish Community, the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Islamic Community conducted the multi-faith service.

Today's ceremony follows on from last week's 90th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.